Block-feeding mechanism for match-machines.



J. C. DONNELLY.

BLOCK FEEDING MECHANISM FOR MATCH MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 28,1914.

Patented Jan. 18, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

03 a fade viz 61901212659,

THE COLUMBIA PLANGRAPr 120., WASHINGTON, D. c,

J. c. DONNELLY.

BLOCK FEEDING MECHANISM FOR MATCH MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED APR-28. 1914.

Z SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES INVENTOH:

I trough of screw-mechanism extending lon TnrTnn sTaTe PATENT @FFICE.

JOSEPH C. DONNELLY, 0F BARBERT'ON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE DIAMOND MATCH COM?AI-TY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

BLOCK-FEEDING MECHANISM FOR LIATCI-I-MACHINES.

Specification of LettersEatent.

Patented J an. 18 1916.

Application filed Apri128, 1914. Serial No. 834,906.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH C. DONNELLY, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Barberton, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Block-Feeding Mechanism for ltIatch-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to block-feeding mechanism for match machines, the object of the invention being to provide for the positive feeding of the blocks in a direct course along the trough, irrespective of the condition, whether even or uneven, of the adjacent ends of succeeding blocks.

Accordingly my invention consists, primarily, in the combination with a feeding gitudinally thereof and positioned, to engage the opposing surfaces of the blocksand act not only to advance the blocks positively along the trough but also to maintain them squarely against the inner longitudinal guide wall of the trough, and this without the intervention of springs or spring-actuated devices.

The invention also comprises novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings-Figure l is a plan of block-feeding mechanism embodying a preferred form of my invention, the cover-plate of the feedtrough, including the bearings for the feed-screws, being removed. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section, as on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section, partly in elevation, as on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. d is a partial side elevation of the trough, showing the gearing and pawl and ratchet mechanism for actuating the feed screws.

10 designates a supporting frame, and 11 a block-feed trough formed or arranged thereon obliquely to the row of splint cutters, as usual. This trough is adapted to receive the blocks 12 and guide them to the path of the cutters. In the present instance a double feed-trough is illustrated, whereby two parallel rows of blocks are directed to the cutters, but, of course, a single feedtrough may be employed if desired.

13 designates parallel feed-screws which are arranged in pairs longitudinally of the top and bottom of the respective sections of the trough in such position that the threads of the screws engage the opposing surfaces of the blocks and not only intermittently impel them toward the cutters but maintain the blocks in contact longitudinally with the adjacent guide walls 14 of the sections; thereby preventing lateral play of the blocks and insuring their positive advance to the cutters. Each pair of feed screws is 1ournaledin suitable bearings in the top and bottom of the trough, the threads of the respective screws of each pair being oppositely-pitched and provisions being had wherebv they are rotated in opposite directions to each other and at the same speed so that their threads shall exert a uniform feeding action upon the opposing surfaces of the blocks and at the same time shall tend to thrust the blocks laterally against the adjacent guide wall. The forward or receiving ends of the screws are tapered, as indicated at15, to facilitate their engagement with the advancing ends of the blocks, and the threads of these tapered portions are preferably made somewhat heavier than the 7 threads of the main portions of the screws so as to indent the surfaces of the blocks'and prepare them for engagement by the latter threads.

Any suitable means for intermittently rotating the feed screws may be employed. In the present instance the forward end of each of the screws is extended and a gear wheel 16 with oblique teeth is formed thereon. The gear wheels 16 of the upper feed screws mesh with a pair of appropriate gears 17 on a transversely disposed shaft 18 above the trough, and the gear wheels 16 of the lower feed screws mesh with a pair of similar gears 17 on a. shaft 19 beneath the trough. The ends of the shafts 18, 19 extend beyond one side of the trough and bear gear wheels which are included in an appropriate gear train actuated through suitable pawl-andratchet devices, as follows: 20 is a ratchet wheel mounted on a stud-shaft 21 supported in a suitably-disposed bracket 22, and 23 is a pawl which engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel. This pawl is pivoted to one arm of a rock-frame 24 which is loosely hung on said shaft, the other arm of the frame being jointed to an operating rod 25 which is reciprocated by a cam element of the match machine.

Fast on the stud shaft 21 is a gear wheel 26 which meshes with a gear wheel 27 on a lower stud shaft 28 having its bearing in the bracket 22; and fast On the latter shaft is a gear wheel 29 which meshes with a gear wheel 30 on the lower transverse shaft 19.

On this shaft 19 is a gear wheel 31 which meshes with an idler gear 32 mounted to turn on a stud 33 borne by an adjustable supporting arm 34 on the side of the trough, said idler gear meshing with a gear wheel 35 on the upper transverse shaft 18. By this construction it will be seen that during the oscillation of the pawl-bearing frame 2f the ratchet wheel 20, its shaft 21 and the gear wheel 26 thereon are intermittently rotated, the 'wheel 26 transmitting motion through the gears 27, 29, 30 to the lower shaft 19, andthe gear 31 on the latter transmitting motion through the idler gear 32 and the gear wheel 35 to the upper shaft 18. 36-is a suitably-located back-stop dog which engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel; and 37 is a hand-wheel on the stud of the pawl 23, whichhand wheel may be readily turned by the attendant to disengage the pawl from are rotating in opposite directions to each 7 Copies of this patentrmay be obtained for other, and at the same speed throughout the length of the trough, the block is caused to move evenly forward and is held against the adjacent guide wall 14, which is preferably polished to provide a sliding surface. Should it happen that a block in front is too small to be gripped by the screws it will be impelled by the opposing rearward block.

It is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the details of construction herein shown and described as the structure may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. 3

I claim In block-feeding -mechanism for match machines, the combination with a blockfeeding trough having a'longitudinal sideguide for the contained blocks, of feedscrews extending adjacent to and longitudinally of the bottom and top respectively of the trough, the threads of said screws being oppositely pitched, and means for rotating said screws in opposite directions to each other, whereby the threads of the said screws engage the opposing lower and upper surfaces respectively of the blocks and impel the blocks along thertroug'h and in lateral contact with the said side-guide.

Signed at Barberton in the county of Summit and State of Ohio this 23rd day of April, A. D. 1914.

JGSEPH C. DONNELLY. Witnesses V. A. JOHNSTON,

SABINA PARKS.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. r 

